Numbers 13:2

Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.

Send {H7971} thou men {H582}, that they may search {H8446} the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}, which I give {H5414} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}: of every {H376} tribe {H4294} of their fathers {H1} shall ye send {H7971} a man {H259}, every one a ruler {H5387} among them.

"Send men on your behalf to reconnoiter the land of Kena'an, which I am giving to the people of Isra'el. From each ancestral tribe send someone who is a leader in his tribe."

“Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.”

Send thou men, that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a prince among them.

Commentary

Numbers 13:2 records a pivotal moment in the Israelites' journey, marking the initiation of a reconnaissance mission into the Promised Land. This verse sets the stage for the famous account of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan, a mission that would have profound consequences for the entire generation.

Context

Following their exodus from Egypt and receiving the Law at Mount Sinai, the Israelites had arrived at the wilderness of Paran, at the border of Canaan. God instructs Moses to "send thou men" to scout the land. While God had already promised to give them the land (as seen in the Abrahamic covenant), this mission was intended to gather intelligence, assess the strength of its inhabitants, and determine the best approach for conquest. It was a step of preparation and due diligence, even within the framework of divine promise.

Key Themes

  • Divine Mandate and Provision: The command to send the men comes directly from God ("Send thou men"). Crucially, God explicitly states, "which I give unto the children of Israel," reinforcing His sovereign promise and ownership of the land. This highlights that while human effort (spying) is involved, the ultimate success rests on God's prior declaration and faithfulness.
  • Preparation and Reconnaissance: The purpose was to "search the land of Canaan." This reconnaissance was vital for understanding the terrain, identifying potential challenges, and planning their military strategy. It demonstrates that faith in God does not negate the need for practical wisdom and preparation.
  • Leadership and Representation: Moses is instructed to select "of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them." This detail underscores the importance of sending respected and capable leaders, ensuring that the report would carry authority and represent the collective wisdom of each of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "search" is tur (תּוּר), which means to explore, scout, or spy out. It implies a thorough investigation rather than a casual glance. The term "ruler" is nasi (נָשִׂיא), referring to a prince, chieftain, or leader. This emphasizes that the chosen individuals were not just ordinary men, but persons of standing and influence within their respective tribes, whose opinions would be highly valued and whose report would greatly impact the people's morale and decisions.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that even when God has given a clear promise, He often calls for human participation and wise preparation. It teaches the importance of:

  • Balancing Faith and Prudence: While God promised the land, the Israelites were still required to scout it. We are called to act with faith, but also with wisdom and diligence in our endeavors.
  • Valuing Good Leadership: The selection of "rulers" from each tribe highlights the critical role of wise and discerning leaders in guiding a community. Their actions and reports can significantly influence the trajectory of a group or nation.
  • Understanding Consequences: The subsequent events (recorded in Numbers 14) demonstrate that even with a divine command and promise, human fear and unbelief can lead to severe consequences, causing a delay in receiving what God has already provided. Only Joshua and Caleb, who brought a faithful report, were allowed to enter the land from that generation, emphasizing the power of faith over fear.
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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 1:22 (7 votes)

    And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.

  • Deuteronomy 1:25 (7 votes)

    And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought [it] down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, [It is] a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.

  • Numbers 32:8 (6 votes)

    Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land.

  • Numbers 34:18 (4 votes)

    And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance.

  • Numbers 1:4 (3 votes)

    And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.

  • Exodus 18:25 (3 votes)

    And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

  • Joshua 2:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.